Business Development Specialist

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 6 June 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome) WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability. ABOUT WFP The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves. To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok. WHY JOIN WFP? WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment. WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities. A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe. We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement). POSITION TITLE: Business Development Specialist ORG UNIT: Private Partnerships Division (PSP) DUTY STATION: Remote CONTRACT TYPE: Short-Term, Regular Consultant DURATION: 5 months ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency working to create a world with zero hunger. WFP and its partners believe that no child should go to bed hungry and that individual and collective wellbeing can only be achieved if all children, women, and men get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, dignified lives. To get to a world with Zero Hunger faster, WFP is investing in and growing private sector fundraising and partnerships to reach more people. The Private Sector Partnerships Division (PSP) is responsible for engaging the private sector (corporations, individuals, foundations) through high-impact partnerships in support of WFP's strategic priorities, and through individual giving to build and retain support from the public worldwide. PSP strives to mobilize funding, technical assistance, innovative solutions and visibility and awareness to help WFP fulfil its mission and operations. Joining PSP is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to co-develop and implement our new private partnerships and fundraising strategy. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The Business Development Manager will play a pivotal role in driving WFP’s private sector engagement by securing strategic, high-impact partnerships that advance WFP’s mission and deliver significant, sustainable funding. This role is responsible for executing the Annual Business Development Strategy by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities within prioritized industries, building a robust pipeline of top prospects, and developing innovative, results-driven approaches to secure multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnerships KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Secure new global $1m+, multiyear, Corporate and Corporate Foundation partnerships, building compelling propositions that add value to WFP’s strategic needs and align with external interests. Examples of the key responsibilities, but not exhaustive, include:
• Identify and prospect high value (financial) and high impact (technical) fundraising partnerships with the corporate sector: selectively identify, research and screen target corporates, then develop successful approaches for potential new partners. This will include cold approaches to new prospects and utilizing senior relationships and networks.
• Create tailored collateral and compelling propositions to initiate new discussions with corporate prospects.
• Collaborate with Technical Unit Focal points and WFP's Programme experts to build compelling new 'products’ and materials which unlock high value financial and technical contributions.
• Negotiate preparation: work closely with the legal department, lead negotiations, secure contracts and agree on partner expectations.
• Develop emergency donors and framework partners into fully fledged, long-term partnerships, ensuring strong partnership management and an effective transition to the Partnership Management (PM) team
• Draft and prepare briefs for senior leadership to host meetings with prospective partners.
• Engage cold and warm prospects during times of emergency and help build WFP’s brand as the partner of choice for emergency giving.

Monitor and report upon progress against KPIs.

• Work with Team lead to bring best practices to the Business Development team, proactively making suggestions to improve processes including better use of technology and AI.
• Support colleagues to utilize external awareness events to drive business development/fundraising opportunities: support global events (such as conferences, forums, panels and roundtables) convening multinational corporates to position WFP as a 'go to' organization for partnership;
• Provide inputs for Private Sector Partnerships leadership team to grow WFP's presence at events and transform WFP into "go to" brand for new fundraising partners.
• Keep supervisors abreast of key private sector trends and NGO partnerships related to WFP's work.
• As needed support the Global Business Development Team wider activities.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT The Business Development Manager will be responsible for securing new global $1m+ multi-year private sector partnerships, driving and executing the global prospecting strategy. Deliverables for this post include:

• Securing new $1m+, multiyear, Corporate and Corporate Foundation Partnerships, taking a lead role in the end-to- end of business development planning, prospecting, and implementation

Completing landscape mapping, creating priority sectors and prospects per market, with complimentary business development strategies to maximize opportunities in local markets.

• Being ‘emergency ready’ and proactively engaging new and existing contacts during emergency appeals.
• Creating compelling materials and drafting value propositions to build partnerships that add value to WFP.
• Building new and improving existing processes and Business Development materials to facilitate prospecting in our international markets.
• Keeping accurate and update report, monitor progress against KPIs and deliver to any set targets for this post.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Education ▪ University degree in Political Science, International Development, Development Economics, Marketing, Communications, or another relevant field. Advanced University degree is a plus. Work history ▪ A minimum of 7 years' demonstrated experience in a partnership development, business development, marketing, or business-to-business sales roles, including experience of creating $1m+large-scale fundraising partnerships. ▪ Experience of prospecting new high value fundraising partners in an international organisation with a development/humanitarian mission, ideally with UN experience is desirable. Experience prospecting new clients for a private sector company and/or agency preferred. ▪ Extensive sales and marketing experience-experienced in research, planning, preparing, and landing pitches and negotiating with potential partners/clients - proven track record of successful negotiations with global enterprises. ▪ Demonstrated record of accomplishment of securing 6 and 7 figure and multi-year partnerships from prospect identification and research to agreement in the non-profit or business sectors. ▪ Experience of building a new pipeline with a positive attitude towards engaging new audiences. Network of corporate contacts in key markets which will be used to support establishment of prospecting pipeline, would be an asset. ▪ Previous experience of building new propositions or 'products' for the private sector that reflect current trends and interests. Technical skills ▪ Essential computer skills in Microsoft Office applications: proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel ▪ Communication abilities are essential. ▪ Work experience within the United Nations system or a similar international organization a significant advantage Soft skills ▪ People-oriented. Uses tact and courtesy to give and receive information with a variety of individuals. ▪ Ability to think creatively and to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and international organization. ▪ Motivated team spirit and contributed to a gender-balanced, inclusive, and sound working environment. ▪ Highly adaptable to change and comfortable dealing with ambiguity, stress and competing demands with grace and humor. ▪ Highly organized with exceptional planning skills ▪ Ability to handle multiple tasks within deadlines and deliver on commitments. ▪ Take initiative to solve problems and seek solutions. ▪ Knowledge of humanitarian/development sector a plus. Languages ▪ Excellent command of spoken and written English. ▪ Intermediate knowledge of another official UN language would be a plus. WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission. Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected] NO FEE DISCLAIMER The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel. We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application. If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply. At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks. No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service. Apply To This Job